Optus Knit the Campus

Knit the CampusOptus headquarters, Macquarie Park, Sydney

I was invited by Emilya Colliver of Art Pharmacy to design a series of yarnbombs for Optus. When I met Harry Whelan, the Events Manager, his idea of using yarnbombing to build team spirit and develop Optus as more than just an ordinary workplace inspired me.

I would be workshopping staff from Optus to make the pieces we would then install. There would be people who could crochet or knit at all differing skill levels as well as a group who wanted to be involved, but could neither crochet or knit.

Sprawling over 7 hectares, the Optus campus in Macquarie Park is amazing. I chose specific features to yarnbomb, then developed and designed pieces that would fit into a program of workshops. I selected crocheted and knitted patterns, many of them my own as well as pompoms, fringing and tassels that the non-crochet and non-knitters could achieve.

Some workshops were bursting at the seams with over 50 people and tables smothered in yarn, tools and patterns. Many took me seriously when I asked for homework thankfully and brought back their creative works completed, but everyone gave it a go, enjoying the chance to mix and meet with other Optus staff they may never have otherwise met.

Most people enjoy playing with yarn and this proved true as we made dozens of tassels, flowers, hearts, leaves and fringed knitted yarnbombs, plus more than 200 pompoms and lovebombs. Awesome effort!

A small but dedicated and enthusiastic bunch gave up their Saturday off and came to work to install the yarnbombs. Thank you! I usually say you are not a full yarnbomber until you have installed something.

Congratulations to everyone involved. I am sure there will be surprised looks on the faces of your co-workers Monday morning.

Queen Babs21 August 2016

May thanks to photographer Martin Andersen of JAM Project for the wonderful photos. You can see his work on Instagram, Facebook, Flickr and many artists' social media and websites

More detailed information, drawings, plans and patterns are available here.​Photos of workshops are available here.

INSTALLATION DAY PHOTOS

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